CHRIS VINNICOMBE is poised to come in from the cold as Burnley chase a desperately needed third away win of the season at Walsall tomorrow, writes PETE OLIVER.

Vinnicombe has not played a League game since the Clarets' 2-0 defeat at Gillingham on January 3 but has been added to the squad for the trip to the Bescot Stadium.

Burnley boss Chris Waddle has not revealed his line-up but will make a couple of changes from the side that lost at Carlisle on Saturday.

That suggests Vinnicombe, who made a goal-scoring appearance against Carlisle in the Auto Windscreens Shield last month, will come in at left-back allowing Paul Weller to push forward into midfield.

Mark Robertson, who played for the reserves in their 4-4 draw at Wrexham on Wednesday, may be the one to make way after running out of steam in the past couple of games following his successful introduction to the side.

Walsall normally play with wide men in a 4-4-2 formation which Waddle feels would play to Vinnicombe's strengths.

"Chris has done well for two or three games but then, like a lot of players, at times doesn't seem to maintain consistency.

"But he is at his best when he is up against somebody," said Waddle, who is not yet ready to return to action himself.

Lee Howey will also have to wait until next Tuesday's Auto Windscreens Shield northern area final at Grimsby for his return to the squad.

Burnley's enforced inactivity in midweek saw them drop to second bottom of the table and Waddle is calling on his players to give everything they've got in the fight to beat the drop.

Waddle maintains Burnley's away form is not as bad as their record suggests, however, with nine of their 13 defeats on the road being by a single goal.

But he stressed: "If we lose a couple we could be cut adrift again. You look to win your home games but we can't afford to wait and see if that will happen.

"We have got to start by getting a result away from home, be it a draw or win, and make sure we don't get beaten." Walsall, who won 2-1 away to table-toppers Watford on Tuesday night, will be without midfielder Dean Keates who starts a two-match ban.

His place may be taken by former Watford midfielder Gary Porter who made his comeback from injury in the reserves in mid-week.

Also heading back from injury is winger John Hodge, although a place on the bench may be his most realistic target.

The Saddlers will give home debuts to their latest foreign imports in the shape of French pair Jean-Jacques Eydiele and Didier Tholot, both of whom are known to Waddle from his days with Marseille.

He is also aware of the threat posed by their fellow countryman, 22-goal striker Roger Boli.

"If you look at the table he has kept them up with his goals. I hope he has an off day but he didn't do a lot at our place," Waddle added.

Burnley from: Beresford, Brass, Winstanley, Moore, Harrison, Weller, Little, Robertson, Ford, Payton, Cooke, Henderson, Hoyland, Vinnicombe, Blatherwick.

Walsall from: Walker, Evans, Marsh, Viveash, Roper, Ricketts, Blake, Eydelie, Porter, Boli, Tholot, Platt, Mountfield, Keister, Thomas.

Burnley Supporters Club - Walsall (a): Colne 10.30am, Nelson 10.45am, Burnley 11am, Rawtenstall 11.15am. £7 members, £8 non-members, £6 concessions, £5 under-12s.

Grimsby: Colne 3pm, Nelson 3.15pm, Burnley 3.30pm, George IV 3.45pm, Rawtenstall 4pm. £7.50 members, £8.50 non members, £6.50 concessions, £5 under-12s. Bookings at Viscount Central, daytime (01282 439371), Dave Spencer after 5pm (01282 435176).

Rossendale Clarets have places available on the coach to both Walsall and Grimsby. They pick up at Todmorden, Rochdale and throughout Rossendale - telephone 01706-224924.

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